Spain digital nomad visa guide

The basics

Official consulate pages describe this visa as intended for third-country nationals who live in Spain while working remotely, using exclusively computer, telematic and telecommunication means, for companies located outside Spain. It does not apply to citizens of the European Union or those covered by European Union law.

Validity

Maximum of 1 year, or less depending on the authorization granted to live and work in Spain (London and Beijing consulate pages).

Stay per entry

Sources reviewed do not state a per-entry stay limit.

Where you apply

At the Spanish consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence. Foreigners already legally in Spain can apply for a residence authorization directly in Spain, according to the Beijing consulate page.

Fee

Paid at submission, in local currency, and subject to regular change (London consulate). Official sources reviewed do not state an amount.

Who it's for

Rules vary by nationality, and the sources reviewed do not state conditions specific to any passport.

• Employees working remotely for a company located outside Spain.
• Self-employed professionals. According to the consulate pages, they may also work for a company located in Spain, as long as that work does not exceed 20% of their total professional activity.
• Applicants with a university or business school degree of recognized prestige, or at least 3 years of professional experience.
• Family members: the spouse or unmarried partner, dependent children, and dependent relatives in the ascending line, according to the consulate pages.
• A telework visa cannot be granted when the conditions coincide with those of the intra-company transfer visa (Beijing consulate page).

How to apply

Procedures vary by consulate. The pages reviewed are from the London and Beijing consulates, and the procedure at other consulates may differ.

• Obtain a foreigner identity number (NIE) before applying. Both consulate pages state this.
• Submit the application to the consulate covering your place of residence. The London page says applications are made in person by the applicant, by a parent if a minor, or through an accredited representative.
• Pay the visa fee when submitting, as the London page states.
• You receive proof of receipt with a code to check the status of the file online (London page).
• The consulate may ask for missing or additional documents, and may request an interview.
• The London page gives a legal decision term of 10 days, which may be extended if an interview or more documents are requested.
• Collect the visa in person or through a representative within 1 month of notification (London page).
• Refusals are notified in writing. The London page describes a reconsideration appeal within 1 month and a legal appeal within 2 months.

Documents

The lists below are drawn from the London and Beijing consulate pages. Check the page of your own consulate.

• Application form and a recent passport-size photograph.
• Passport: the London page requires at least 1 year of validity and two blank pages, and the Beijing page requires validity for at least the requested stay and two free pages. Both say passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.
• Proof of residence in the consular district.
• NIE assignment certificate.
• Criminal record certificate for the past 2 years from the country or countries of residence, plus a responsible declaration of no criminal records for the last five years. The London page says the certificate cannot be older than 6 months. The Beijing page requires a Hague Apostille and an official Spanish translation.
• Health insurance from an entity authorized to operate in Spain, covering all risks covered by Spain's public health system. The Beijing page states that travel insurance is not accepted.
• Company certificate: for employees, at least 3 months of seniority, income and explicit permission to work remotely from Spain. For the self-employed, contract length and the terms for remote work.
• Proof of the company's existence. London asks for a company registry certificate with its creation date and business type. Beijing asks for a mercantile registry certificate proving real and continuous activity for at least 1 year.
• Social security documents. These differ by case, as the London and Beijing pages describe.
• Proof of a degree or at least 3 years of professional experience.
• Financial means of at least 200% of the monthly Spanish minimum wage, plus 75% for the first family member and 25% for each additional one. The consulate pages say the minimum wage figure changes, so confirm the current euro amount.
• Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and translated into Spanish where required.

Stay and extensions

Official pages reviewed state the visa has a maximum validity of 1 year. The London page says the holder can live in Spain without a foreigner identity card (TIE) during the visa, and that anyone wishing to extend residence can apply for a TIE 2 months before the visa expires, through the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE).

The Beijing page states that a telework residence permit obtained inside Spain can be valid for a maximum of three years. The Spanish law text (Ley 28/2022) indicates that holders wishing to continue residing in Spain may apply for the residence authorization within sixty calendar days before the visa expires, if the conditions that gave rise to the right still hold.

Sources reviewed do not state a per-entry stay limit, a total maximum stay, or renewal fees.

Things to confirm

• The visa fee at your consulate, since fees are paid in local currency and change regularly.
• The current euro income threshold, since it is tied to the minimum wage.
• Whether your consulate's document list differs from the London and Beijing pages.
• Whether any conditions apply to your specific nationality.
• Renewal fees, the residence card process and tax implications, which sources reviewed do not cover.
• Any appointment procedure at your consulate.

Sources

Every claim above comes from these pages. Higher tiers carry more authority. How we tier sources.